Attorneys help businesses, government agencies and private individuals navigate complex legal matters. The Bureau of Labor statistics reports that job growth in this field will remain steady through 2020. This means that even though the field is competitive, you can become a practicing lawyer with strategic career planning and flexibility.

Attorneys help businesses, government agencies and private individuals navigate complex legal matters. The Bureau of Labor statistics reports that job growth in this field will remain steady through 2020. This means that even though the field is competitive, you can become a practicing lawyer with strategic career planning and flexibility.

Law schools do not require students to have majored in any particular field of study to apply, but majoring in political science or U.S. history might help you better understand the coursework. Consider enrolling in a pre-law program of study if offered by your college. Law students are graded on the quality of written assessments routinely, and as a lawyer, you might have to do a considerable amount of expository writing, depending on the job. Taking writing courses or minoring in English while pursing your undergraduate degree can help prepare you for writing tasks that lawyers are called on to do.

Law School Admissions Test Preparation

Preparing for the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT, should be your first step to acquiring the education necessary to become a lawyer. The test measures your reading comprehension and your logical and analytical skills. It is required for law school admission. As of publication, the LSAT costs $160 dollars. Because of the cost, it's a good idea to study thoroughly beforehand. You can purchase LSAT preparation materials to study on your own, or pay for private LSAT tutoring, a fairly common approach. If you are enrolled in a pre-law program, LSAT preparation might be included.

Take the Test

Law schools use your LSAT scores to evaluate your potential for success as a law student. Highly competitive law schools typically accept only those applicants with the highest scores. You can retake the LSAT if you are not satisfied with your initial score, but the Law School Admissions Council writes that law schools might use both scores to evaluate your application, rather than throw out the lower one.

Considerations

The reality is that where you attend law school has little bearing on your future job prospects. To practice the profession, you also have to move to a city or state where job opportunities for lawyers are plentiful, and you have to pass the bar exam. Given these realities, weigh the price per credit hour and the availability of financial aid, specifically scholarships, when choosing laws schools. Also review the school's track record of helping students find internships and helping graduates find employment.

2016 Salary Information for Lawyers

Lawyers earned a median annual salary of $118,160 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, lawyers earned a 25th percentile salary of $77,580, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $176,580, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 792,500 people were employed in the U.S. as lawyers.

About the Author

Maya Black has been covering business, food, travel, cultural topics and decorating since 1992. She has bachelor's degree in art and a master's degree in cultural studies from University of Texas, a culinary arts certificate and a real estate license. Her articles appear in magazines such as Virginia Living and Albemarle.